Family, new students arrive
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Joseph Vasquez /
The Collegian
Zakiyyah Abdul-Mateen stands with her cousin Calvin Thomas and his
wife, Nicole, outside her Fresno apartment. The couple is
expecting a baby girl in December, and Thomas was able to transfer
his job from New Orleans to Fresno. |
By Elizabeth Leffall
The Collegian
Twenty-year-old twins Zakiyyah
and Khadijah Abdul-Mateen said they happily welcomed two cousins to Fresno
from New Orleans Wednesday morning.
Calvin Thomas and his pregnant wife Nicole will live with the twins in
their two-bedroom apartment near Fresno State.
“We’re so glad we made it. We’re planning to stay in
Fresno permanently,” Calvin Thomas said.
With their baby due in December, the family is glad that Calvin already
has a job lined up.
“I was able to transfer from New Orleans to here. The job here is
better and will pay more,” he said.
Nicole Thomas said now that they’re here, it’s time to prepare
for their baby girl.
“I need baby stuff and clothes too,” she said.
Both students said they appreciate the concern and support of so many
people who’ve read or heard about their story.
“It’s really overwhelming,”
Zakiyyah said. “It makes you feel good that people who don’t
know you can care for you like we care for our cousins,” Khadijah
said.
Since their story ran in Wednesday’s Collegian, Zakiyyah said someone
has offered to pay for their books and many others have pledged their
financial support.
“We’re one of thousands of families affected by this hurricane,”
Zakiyyah said. “We’re really blessed.”
Students arrive on campus
Three students from New Orleans-based colleges have made it to Fresno
State, while others are on their way.
Brad Eleew, a senior engineering student, arrived Tuesday. Eleew said
he originally attended Fresno State two years ago but transferred to the
University of New Orleans to be near family.
“It’s definitely weird to be back here,” Eleew said.
“But it was the easiest process. The university had their stuff
together.”
Eleew was one of thousands of residents who fled the downtown area on
Saturday when the mayor called for a mandatory evacuation.
“We were going to stick it out, but my mom got worried so we went
over to the north shore.”
Eleew said he and 26 family members drove to Valdosca, Ga. to shelter,
and now he’s back in Fresno.
“I have 22 units left to graduate but I don’t see myself staying
here. I see this as a temporary situation. I love New Orleans,”
he said.
Senior Megan Stegee also arrived on Tuesday from Louisiana State University
and began classes the same day.
Stegee said she only had one semester left to graduate with her bachelor’s
degree.
Daireyon Hooks, a Los Angeles native, was in his first year at Dillard
College when the hurricane hit. Hooks is now staying with his sister and
began classes Wednesday.
-Anthony Galaviz contributed to this report.
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